This week's mock draft update

Apr. 10, 2013

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Here’s this week’s look at the Green Bay Packers’ pick at No. 26 overall in updated mock drafts by three draft experts:

Russ Lande's mock draft

Russ Lande of NationalFootballPost.com has the Packers selecting Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. (Here’s the link to Lande’s first round: http://tinyurl.com/c68x3z8).

In his write-up of the pick, Lande sayd: “Jermichael Finley has never become the premier offensive weapon that many expected early in his career, so they draft his eventual replacement. Eifert is a smoother athlete with better receiving skills and should give the Packers an impact receiving threat to complement their receivers.”

Don Banks' mock draft

Last week, Don Banks of SI.com had the Packers picking Eifert, but this week he switched to North Carolina defensive lineman Sylvester Williams even though Eifert was still on the board. (Here’s a link to Banks’ first round: http://tinyurl.com/ctxbnlf).

“While I still think a tight end (Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert) or a running back (Alabama's Eddie Lacy or Wisconsin's Montee Ball) make sense for the Packers’ need list,” Banks wrote, “I do admit it’s not GM Ted Thompson's style to spend first-round currency on those positions. This could be an exception kind of year, but for now I’m giving Green Bay a quality defensive tackle prospect in Williams, who can help shore up the Packers’ leaky run defense.”

Todd McShay's mock draft

Todd McShay of ESPN.com had the Packers selecting Florida State tackle Melenik Watson in the first round last week, but this week with Watson still on the board he had them take Syracuse tackle-guard Justin Pugh instead. (Here’s the link to McShay’s first round, but an ESPN Insider subscription is required: http://tinyurl.com/ctxbnlf).

In his comments on his picks, McShay went through alternatives, with Scenario 1 representing a reasonable best-case outcome:

“Scenario 1: The Packers have a need at offensive tackle, and Pugh is an underrated talent who played tackle in college and could help solidify the Green Bay offensive line. Watson and Oregon's Kyle Long could also be in play here.

"Scenario 2: Running back is another need area, so Lacy could make sense if he is on the board at this point.

"Scenario 3: The secondary has a hole at safety, which could put (Florida International’s) John Cyprien or Florida’s Matt Elam on the radar.

"Stats and Info: Packers running backs have combined for 12 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons, the fewest in the NFL. Lacy had 17 rushing touchdowns last season, and would likely improve on Green Bay's league-worst 3.8 yards per rush over the past three seasons.”